Phillip Pon’s Toxic Leadership & Work Culture - Singapore Office Emurgo Employee Review

1.0
8 July 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Compensation (used to be but no longer) Flexibility (used to have but no longer) Work Culture (used to be but no longer) The culture has changed so drastically that I would no longer recommend people to work here. The mass layoff of EMURGO Academy because “it no longer aligns” PP’s direction when the team deserves a fighting chance and had made significant improve under N’s leadership. It’s also the serving of termination papers behind the scenes, forcing people to resign with no clear explanation.

Cons

It’s disappointing to witness the shift in company culture following the appointment of the new CEO, Phillip Pon. His leadership style has fostered an environment that discourages open dialogue and critical feedback. His behaviours such as dismissiveness, unwillingness to acknowledge his own mistakes, and a tendency to belittle differing opinions openly and publicly have been observed on multiple occasions. There seems to also be a pattern of retaining individuals who are compliant rather than those who contribute diverse perspectives. Team dynamics have been affected; relationship-building and casual team interactions are outwardly discouraged. Practices like discouraging co-workers from having lunch together, expecting strict time adherence when working with global timezones, and minimizing informal exchanges contribute to a restrictive and disconnected work atmosphere. These developments have made it difficult for many to feel engaged, supported, or aligned with the company’s stated values. I would not recommend joining if you are considering. You are new and fresh until someday PP decides you are not. Reality is that we are all disposable and easily replaceable. Quoted directly from PP himself “you can leave if you don’t agree”.

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Emurgo Response
10mo
We appreciate your feedback and understand that transitions in leadership and strategy can bring different experiences for different individuals. At EMURGO, we are committed to learning from all perspectives and using feedback as a way to strengthen our culture. At the same time, we are proud of the progress we are making to build stronger teams, launch new initiatives, and provide employees with opportunities to take ownership of impactful projects. Our aim is to foster a workplace where collaboration and innovation are encouraged, and where people can thrive as the company grows. For those considering joining EMURGO, you can expect to be part of a dynamic organization where your contributions make a real difference, and where we are dedicated to evolving together with our people.

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